Insight

Leticia Boatman: I win my battle against breast cancer everyday

Photo taken from The Breast Cancer Research Foundation/LinkedIn

Oct 5, 2024, 02:01

Leticia Boatman: I win my battle against breast cancer everyday

Leticia Boatman, Senior Vice President of Global Access to Care, shared on LinkedIn:

“I didn’t sleep well last night after an intense week in discussions in NYC at UNGA.

Most of what will stick with me I cannot share in any depth because it was under Chatham House rules or I choose not to comment as others have already said it so well. But there is one overwhelming take away for me.

At Siemens Healthineers we live by our purpose to pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare for everyone, everywhere, sustainably.

We get a seat at the table in many of the forums where global health leaders are collaborating to shape the future of healthcare particularly for underserved patients and their communities.

I couldn’t sleep because I personally feel I can do more. It is my privilege and obligation to ensure that I am living my purpose, and as necessary challenging the leaders I engage with to set aside organizational charts (Chatham house allows you to quote yourself so here I will say ‘diseases do not recognize borders or organizational charts’) and move forward with solutions.

M pox is very much on my mind – people in at least 10 countries in Africa are already suffering and dying from ‘the next pandemic’. Is it not a global issue until it reaches critical mass of suffering in the global North? What can I do to marshal resources for the fight against M pox?

Next week you’ll see me in a breast cancer awareness video. I am a survivor and I win my battle against breast cancer everyday. Today I started a new medicine that has been shown to reduce the chance of reoccurrence for patients like me. It is incredibly expensive (over $200K/year) and I need to take it for two years.

It also has some rough side effects. But I have insurance, augmented by my company, and it is free for me. I can afford to deal with the side effects. I have the access and can make my own choice.

It is my privilege that gives me a much better chance of continuing to live without fear of cancer. What am I doing with that voice, that seat at the table, that access to the highest quality healthcare and access to the leaders who can make it more affordable and accessible for all?

Tonight I will sleep much better. I don’t have a plan yet – but I have a renewed sense of strength to fight for healthcare access for everyone, everywhere.

Pic is my view as I write this. Wissahickon Park, Philadelphia. My new ‘happy place’ for Saturday morning runs. If you are in the area, join me for a walk and talk here!”

Leticia Boatman